Here's what Tusshar Kapoor has to say on becoming a single father

The actor is now single father to a baby boy born via surrogacy last week, in what is a first-of-its-kind instance in Bollywood

Tusshar Kapoor yesterday announced to the world about becoming father to a baby boy born through IVF and surrogacy last week at a city hospital. This is the first such instance of an unmarried Bollywood celebrity choosing this method of assisted reproduction. The 39-year-old actor has named his bundle of joy Laksshya (notice the double ‘s’ in their names?).

Tushar Kapoor

Dr Firuza Parikh, director-department of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics at Jaslok Hospital, who helped the actor with the surrogacy, says, “Tusshar had long been mulling over this. He came to me a year ago for advice when he was settled in his life and career. His family and friends supported him in the decision and we took it forward from there. The baby boy weighed 2.8 kgs at birth; he is healthy and stable. They took him home a week ago. I am sure Tusshar will make a sensitive, nurturing parent.”

In a media statement, Tusshar said, “I am thrilled to be a father. The paternal instincts in me have been overpowering my heart and mind for some time now. I am thrilled beyond words to have Laksshya, now the greatest source of joy in my life.”

Tusshar’s parents, Shobha Kapoor and Jeetendra said, “We couldn’t be more excited to be grandparents to Laksshya, and are completely supportive of Tusshar’s decision. This is a tremendous blessing, and an exciting time in our lives.”

Inputs from Letty Mariam Abraham

B-Town’s single momsSushmita Sen, 40, chose to become a single mother at the age of 25. She adopted a baby girl in 2000, and named her Renee. A decade later, she adopted her second daughter, Alisah.

Raveena Tandon was barely 21 when she adopted two girls, Pooja and Chhaya, aged 11 and 8 then. They were daughters of a distant cousin, who was unable to bring up the girls due to a financial crisis. The 41-year-old actress got married to producer Anil Thadani in 2004. They have two kids, Rasha and Ranbir.